Llanelli Naturalists Newsletter - Winter 1990/1991
Rob Hunt

May

The weather during the month was dominated by a high pressure system producing a period-of warm and particularly dry weather. Eleven Manx Shearwaters were seen at Cefn Sidan (25th - R.O.H.).

At Penclacwydd single pairs of Shoveler and Wigeon remained through the month (T.R.,B.St.).

An Osprey was seen at the Witchett Pool early in the month (K.N.), and a Hobby at Penclacwydd (25th - T.R.,B.St.).

The highlight of the month was a superb summer plumaged Marsh Sandpiper at Penclacwydd (19th - T.R.,B.St.). This is the first county record of this elegant wader. Most of the 64 previous British records, up to the end of 1989, were in the south east. A Wood Sandpiper was also at the site (19th - 20th - T.R.,B.St.), and another was at Banc-y-Lord (12th - F.B.J.). Two pairs of Redshank and several pairs of Lapwing have bred on the main lagoon at Penclacwydd and 4 Greenshanks were seen on 7th. A Dotterel at the Tair Carn Ridge (22nd - G.J.) was a late record for this site.

A Turtle Dove remained at Penclacwydd (24th - 31st - T.R.,B.St.). Three Yellow Wagtails at Cilsan Bridge (12th - B.St.) are the only records for the species this spring. A Cetti's Warbler was heard at the Witchett Pool (10th - I.K.M.,K.N.).

June

The weather during the month was cool and unsettled in marked contrast to May.

The main interest during the month was the field work for the breeding birds atlas.

The long-established pair of Mute Swans at the Ashpits Pond were killed by a train while leading their brood across to the estuary. Fortunately the 9 cygnets were caught and taken to Penclacwydd where they fledged successfully. Two broods of Goosanders were seen on the Cothi and 4 broods, together with 10 non-breeding females, on the Towy (J.F.,B.St.).

The most pleasing news of the month was the dramatic increase of breeding Little Ringed Plovers with 27 pairs, and at least 50 young, recorded in the Towy and Cothi valleys (J.F.,B.St.).

Towards the end of the month some wader passage was noted on the coast. At Penclacwydd there were 76 Redshanks (24th) and 4 Whimbrel (26th - T.R.,B.St.). A Black-tailed Godwit was at Cydweli Quay (22nd - R.O.H.,F.B.J.,C.J.) and 2 Common Sandpipers at Commissioner's Bridge (25th - C.J.). There were 270 Oystercatchers near Loughor Bridge throughout the month and at Cefn Sidan 110 Sanderling were seen (4th -B.St.).

A Turtle Dove was seen in the west of the county at Henllan (23rd -F.B.J.).

July

The month opened with rather, cold unsettled weather, but from the 9th a high pressure system established itself leading to a period of dry, sunny weather with some very high temperatures.

Single Fulmar and Storm Petrel were seen at Cefn Sidan (26th - F.B.J.) the latter being a suprise find. Both Manx Shearwaters and Gannets were regular there.

An adult Night Heron along the River Towy at Ffairfach (16th - 20th - N.M.) was the first recorded in the county this century. The only previous record was of two, recorded by Barker, seen near Cydweli about 1885 (Ingram & Morrey Salmon). There have been 406 British records of this southern European heron up to the end of 1989.

An Osprey was seen at Dryslwyn (15th - J.F.,N.M.) and what was probably the same bird reported from Llandyfaelog (15th - per D.H.V.R.), whilst at Penclacwydd a female Merlin had returned (23rd - T.R.,B.St.).

There was an estimated 8.500 Common Scoter, mostly males, off Cefn Sidan (25th - B.St.).

Wader passage increased during the month. Counts at Penclacwydd included: 20 Golden Plover (27th), 1,708 Curlew, including an albino, (19th), 40 Whimbrel (18th), 300 Redshank (24th) and 2 Black-tailed Godwits (23rd - all T.R.,B.St.). Other Black-tailed Godwits were 2 at Bynea (3rd) and 6 at Cydweli (30th - B.St.). A Ruff was seen at Banc y Lord (22nd - R.O.H.,F.B.J.), whilst the pond at the top of the Banc attracted 28 Dunlin, 2 Green Sandpipers, 2 Ruff and an adult summer Curlew Sandpiper (24th - C.J.) and a juvenile Little Ringed Plover (27th - R.O.H.,F.B.J.). At Cefn Sidan a Little Stint was seen (21st - R.O.H.,F.B.J.), and 50 Ringed Plovers and 300 Sanderling (25th - B.St.). At Cydweli Quay records included 78 Redshanks, 1 Greenshank and 24 Common Sandpipers (11th), 30 Whimbrel (19th), 4 Greenshanks (24th) and 4 Green Sandpipers (29th ). Thirty Whimbrel were seen at Ferryside (29th) and 250 Curlew on the Gwendraeth Estuary (22nd- all B.St.).

Nine Kittiwakes were seen at Cefn Sidan (22nd - F.B.J.). The first terns returned to the Burry Port - Pembrey - Cefn Sidan area by the third week with 6 Sandwich Terns at Pembrey Harbour (21st) and 23 at Burry Port Harbour (29th - R.O.H.,F.B.J.) and a single Common Tern at Cefn Sidan (25th - B.St.).

Three newly fledged Little Owls were seen at Bynea (1st - I.K.M.).

A pair of Reed Warblers bred at Pensarn (J.F.) and the post breeding Linnet flock at Cydweli Quay had built up to 300 birds (21st - B.St.).

August

The month opened with a spell of exceptionally hot weather. High pressure systems gave mostly settled weather, apart from brief wet and windy periods in the middle and near the end of the month.

The pair of Little Grebes at Penclacwydd raised a second brood, with 10 birds being seen (26th - T.R.,B.St.).

The highlight of the month was the exceptional influx of Little Egrets at Penclacwydd. A single bird was seen on 6th, increasing to 2 on 8th,

4 on 9th and 5 on 13th. Four birds remained for a week, with 3 to 21st and 1 to 27th. A record 35 Herons were also seen there (10th - T.R., B.St.).

The first of the wintering wildfowl returned to Penclacwydd with 5 each of Wigeon and Pintail (from 25th), and 35 Teal, 200+ Mallard and

5 Shoveler by the end of the month. A Garganey was present from 7th to 71st (T.R.,B.St.). Other wildfowl records were 18 Mute Swans on the Dinefwr Ponds (16th) and 220 Mallard at Dryslwyn (30th - J.F.). A juvenile Spotted Crake was seen around the main lagoon at Penclacwydd (31st - T.R., B.St.).

A juvenile Wood Sandpiper was at the Banc y Lord pond (7th - 15th - R.O.H.,F.B.J.). Six Little Stints (8th) and 19 Greenshanks (9th - F.B.J.,E.J.S.) were seen at Cydweli Marsh. Records from Penclacwydd included 200 Dunlin (11th), single Spotted Redshank (26th) and Black-tailed Godwit (28th - T.R.,B.St.). At Machynys there were 25 Whimbrel (2nd), 300 Dunlin and 150 Ringed Plovers (15th - B.St.). Records from Cydweli Quay were 10 Whimbrel (2nd), a Ruff (17th - 29th), Black-tailed Godwit (29th) and a Spotted Redshank (30th). Other records were 260 Sanderling at Cefn Sidan (7th), 4 Green Sandpipers at Banc y Lord (25th) and 2 Black-tailed Godwits and 50 Redshanks at Bynea (10th - all B.St.).

A Great Skua was seen at Cefn Sidan (4th - R.O.H.,F.B.J.) and and a Skua sp. at St. Ishmael (19th - F.B.J.). Gull records included a second winter Mediterranean Gull at Pwll (18th - C.J.), and an adult yellow legged Henring Gull at Llanelli Beach (2nd - R.O.H.). Numbers of terns built up during the month. Records of Sandwich Terns included: 6 at Machynys (2nd - B.St.), 58 at Pembrey (9th - F.B.J.), and 46 at Cefn Sidan (20th - J.R.E.,R.O.H.). Two Arctic Terns were seen at St. Ishmael (19th - F.B.J.). Common Terns included 20 at Cefn Sidan (30th - J.R.E.,R.O.H.) and 20, together with a Little Tern, at Burry Port (24th - R.O.H.,F.B.J.,E.J.S.).

Juvenile Cuckoos were seen at Penclacwydd (24th - T.R.,B.St.) and Pembrey Country Park (24th - R.O.H.,F.B.J.,E.J.S.). A late Swift was seen at Penclacwydd (31st - M.H.W.).

About 500 Hirundines, mostly Swallows with some Sand Martins, were roosting in the reed bed at Pembrey Saltings (R.O.H.,F.B.J.). Passage Yellow Wagtails included 3 at Penclacwydd (24th - T.R.,B.St.), 1 at Ffairfach (29th) and a pair at Dryslwyn (30th). Two juveniles at Dryslwyn may have been bred locally (10th - all J.F.). Two Cetti's Warblers, an adult male on 26th and juvenile female on 12th, were ringed at the Ffrwd Fen (B.St.). An Aquatic Warbler was seen at Penclacwydd (10th - E.J.S.) and is the first county record for the species. A family party of Reed Warblers was seen at Dryslwyn (10th - J.F.). Two Redstarts and a Pied Flycatcher were ringed at the Ffrwd Fen (B.St.). A Tree Sparrow was seen at Whitland (7th), 10 at Dryslwyn (10th) and 6 Crossbills at Llangadog (3rd - all J.F.).

September

During the month the weather was fairly settled, but with two spells of windy weather on 5th - 7th and 18th - 20th.

A Red-throated Diver was seen at Cefn Sidan (16th - F.B.J.( and 6 Great Crested Grebes at Penclacwydd (20th - B.St.). Counts of Cormorants were 135 at Wharley Point and 74 at Tywyn Point (both 16th - B.St.).

At Penclacwydd 3 Little Egrets were seen on 5 - 6th. with 1 remaining to the end of the month (T.R.,B.St.).

A pale bellied Brent Goose was at Ferryside (16th - J.R.E.). An immature female Garganey was at Penclacwydd (29th). Other wildfowl counts at the site were: 300 Wigeon (18th), 5 Gadwall (20th), 21 Shoveler (25th) and 70 Pintail (T.R.,B.St.). There were 8 Eiders at Salmon Scar (27th - B.St.).

Single Sparrowhawk, Peregrine and Merlin were seen at Banc y Lord (30th - F.B.J.). At Penclacwydd 3 Peregrines were regular all month and a Merlin was seen (6th - T.R.,B.St.).

The Spotted Crake remained at Penclacwydd to the 2nd and 4 Water Rail, were regular there (T.R.,B.St.).

The main interest during the month was the wader passage. The highlight was a juvenile Lesser Yellowlegs at Banc y Lord from the 27th (F.B.J.) to at least 11th November. This elegant North American species has been recorded 203 times in Britain, up to the end of 1989, and was a welcome addition to the county list. During the early part of its stay it frequented the small pond at the top of the Banc and was extremely confiding. It was also recorded at Cydweli Quay and Coedbach Marsh during its extended stay. Single juvenile Little Stint and Curlew Sandpiper were present alongside the Yellowlegs (27th - 30th - F.B.J.) and it was an excellent autumn for both species. Little Stints included 1 at Penclacwydd (12th - T.R.,B.St.), 2 at Ginst Point (16th - B.St.), 2 at Pembrey (20th - C.J.), 5 at Burry Port (24th) and 3 (26th - B.St.). Records of Curlew Sandpipers were 2 at Cydweli Marsh (1st - R.O.H.,F.B.J.), a maximum of 12 at Penclacwydd (9th - T.R., B.St.) and singles at Ginst Point (16th) and Burry Port (26th - both B.St.).

Wader counts at Penclacwydd included 4 Ruff, 8 Black-tailed Godwits and 5 Spotted Redshanks (8th); 60 Grey Plover (18th); 600 Redshanks (20th), 15 Knot and a Jack Snipe (28th - T.R.,B.St.). Other wader records included: 200 Dunlin at Burry Port (26th); single Ruff (10th and 24th), 2 Black-tailed Godwits (12th), 11 Greenshanks and a Spotted Redshank (22nd) all at Cydweli Quay; 18 Bar-tailed Godwits at Salmon Scar (17th); 4 Black-tailed Godwits and 230 Curlew at Ferryside (23r - all B.St.) and 2 Green Sandpipers at Dryslwyn (25th - I.K.M.). A Wood Sandpiper at the Banc y Lord pond (19th - C.J.) was the third there this year. A first winter Grey Phalarope was seen at Cydweli Quay following strong winds (20th - B.St.).

An adult winter Mediterranean Gull was at Burry Port Harbour (15th - R.O.H.,F.B.J.), and a first winter Little Gull at Salmon Scar Point (24th - B.St.). The only records of Black Terns were 2 at Ginst Poir (16th) and 1 at Salmon Scar (17th - both B.St.). Other records of terns were 36 Sandwich Terns at Burry Port and 43 at Ferryside (both 16th - F.B.J.); 50 Sandwich, 80 Common and 1 Arctic at Salmon Scar (17th), with 4 Sandwich, 19 Common and 4 Arctic there (24th - all , B.St.) and 1 Arctic Tern at Penclacwydd (22nd - T.R.,B.St.). Numbers of Arctic Terns were much reduced from those in recent years. Six Razorbills and a Guillemot were seen off Cefn Sidan (15th - R.O.H., F.B.J.).

Two Kingfishers were seen at Banc y Lord (30th - F.B.J.).

Passage Yellow Wagtails were regularly recorded at Penclacwydd up tc the 22nd, with a maximum of 11 (1st - T.R.,B.St.). Four Siskins were seen at Llyn Llech Owen (27th - B.St.) and 16 Crossbills at Pembrey forest (27th - J.K.).

October

The weather was rather mixed, with gales on 5th - 6th and a period o wet and windy weather during the last few days.

The usual build up of divers took place in Carmarthen Bay with 25 Red-throated Divers in the Pendine - Telpyn Point area (1st - B.St. and 22nd - J.F.,B.St.) and 2 at Ginst Point (7th - F.B.J.). Single Black-throated and Great Northern Divers were seen at Cefn Sidan (19 -  F.B.J.), and counts of Red-throated Divers there included 5 (1st - B.St.), 17 (19th) and 38 (20th - both F.B.J.). A single Great Northern Diver was seen off Burry Port Harbour (30th - C.J.).

Three Great Crested Grebes were seen at Cefn Sidan (20th - F.B.J.) and 10 at Penclacwydd (24th - T.R.,B.St.).

A Sooty Shearwater was the highlight of a seawatch at Cefn Sidan during gale force winds (6th). Other seabird records there were a Storm Petrel (4th), a Manx Shearwater (6th - all F.B.J.) and 40 Gannets (1st - B.St.)

Two Little Egrets remained at Penclacwydd to 5th (T.R.,B.St.).

A Brent Goose was seen at Salmon Scar (19th) and 2 at Cefn Sidan (20-both F.B.J.). At Penclacwydd wildfowl numbers included 41 Shelduck 200+ Pintail. up to 400 Wigeon and 18 Shoveler (T.R.,B.St.). All three Scoter species were recorded in Carmarthen Bay; counts of Common Scoter were 3,000 at Telpyn Point (1st - B.St.) and 2,500 (22-J.F.,B.St.). Single drake Velvet Scoters were also recorded there these dates. A drake Surf Scoter at Marros (14th - R.O.H.,F.B.J.; 15-B.St) and Telpyn Point (22nd - J.F.,B.St.) was the third county record. The previous records were a tideline corpse at Ginst Point i January 1971, and an immature at Burry Port in October 1984. There were 349 British records of this North American sea duck up to the e of 1989.

Other wildfowl records were as follows: 43 Wigeon on the Gwendraeth (22nd), a female Scaup at Telpyn Point (15th), 4 Goldeneye at Ferryside (22nd), 2 Eider at Tywyn Point (21st - all B.St.); 2 femal Scaup and a Goldeneye at Duport Lake (25th - J.R.E.); single Eider a Red-breasted Merganser at St. Ishmael (6th) and 15 Red-breasted Mergansers at Salmon Scar (28th - all F.B.J.).

Two Merlins remained at Penclacwydd throughout the month (T.R.,B.St. Waders featured prominently with the Lesser Yellowlegs being seen regularly in the Banc y Lord. Cydweli Quay, Coedbach area. At Pembre airfield there were 103 Golden Plover, 187 Lapwings and a Ruff (27th) Three Ruff were seen at Coedbach (6th - all F.B.J.). Records from Penclacwydd were: 3 Spotted Redshanks (19th), a Jack Snipe (20th) and a Green Sandpiper (24th - T.R.,B.St.). A Little Stint was seen on the Gwendraeth estuary near Penallt (22nd) and Curlew Sandpipers were at Machynys (24th - both B.St.) and Salmon Scar (28th - F.B.J.). Records from Laugharne were 16 Bar-tailed Godwits and 3 Greenshanks (1st - B.St.). Both these species were well recorded on the Gwendraeth estuary: Godwit records being 21 (1st), 31 (15th - B.St.) and 19 (28th - F.B.J.); Greenshanks included 5 (1st - B.St.) and 1 (28th - F.B.J.). Other wader records were: 700 Sanderling at Cefn Sidan (1st - B.St.), 70 Grey Plover at Machynys (24th - B.St.), single Spotted Redshank at Salmon Scar (19th) and Cydweli Quay (28th), a Common Sandpiper at Banc y Lord (27th) and 18 Knot at Cefn Sidan (29th - all F.B.J.). At Cefn Sidan there were two dark phase Arctic Skuas and a Great Skua (6th), an immature Sabine's Gull (27th - both F.B.J.) and 20 Sandwich and 1 Common Tern (1st - B.St.). Good numbers of Razorbills were recorded with 15 at Telpyn Point (22nd - J.F.,B.St.) and 14 (19th) and 17, with a single Puffin, (20th - both F.B.J.) at Cefn Sidan. The first Short-eared Owl of the autumn was seen at Penrhyngwyn (1st - R.O.H.) and there were regular sightings throughout the month (T.R.).

Late records of Swallows were 13 at Telpyn Point (22nd -- B.St.) and 5 at Penclacwydd (24th - T.R.,B.St.). A Richard's Pipit was seen and heard giving its characteristic call at Penclacwydd (20th - B.St.) and is the first record for the species in the county. Two late Whinchats were seen at Ffairfach (17th - J.F.) and a male Black Redstart at Pembrey Country Park (28th - F.B.J.). This species is typically recorded in the county as a late autumn migrant and scarce winter visitor. Three Wheatears were recorded at Banc y Lord (27th - F.B.J.). The first of the wintering Scandanavian thushes were recorded on 13th, with 2 Fieldfares at Banc y Lord (R.O.H.,F.B.J.), 14 Redwings at Swiss Valley (M.H.W.) and others at Llwynhendy (I.K.M.). Other counts of Fieldfares were 200 at Gwynfe (14th - J.F.) and 90 at Penclacwydd (T.R.,B.St.). A Chiffchaff was seen at the Ffrwd Fen (28th - F.B.J.). There were 25 Tree Sparrows at Dryslwyn (23rd - J.F.), 10 Siskins at Laugharne (1st - B.St.) and 35 Crossbills at the Usk Reservoir (27th - J.F.).

November.

A high pressure system at the start of the month led to a spell of sunny, settled weather with several night frosts. From the 9th a westerly airstream established itself producing a spell of unsettled weather.

A Black-throated Diver was seen off Burry Port Power Station (11th - R.O.H.,F.B.J.,R.L.) and at -telpyn Point there were 24 Red-throated Divers (4th - R.O.H.,F.B.J.).

A Little Egret was seen at Penclacwydd (2nd - 6th - T.R.,B.St.). Wildfowl counts from the site were; 810 Wigeon, 150 Pintail, 38 Shoveler and 6 Gadwall (all 5th), 11 Brent Geese (10th) and a Goosander (13th -T.R.,B.St.). Four Goldeneye and 31 Red-breasted Mergansers were seen at Salmon Scar (4th - R.O.H.,F.B.J.,C.J.). The Surf Scoter was seen at Telpyn Point (4th - J.K.,B.St.). A Long-tailed Duck at Dryslwyn (9th - J.F.) was an excellent inland record. Another at Burry Port (10th - J.R.E.,R.O.H.) was at a more typical site. Other wildfowl records were 200 Teal at Dryslwyn (9th - J.F.) and 60 Pochard at Duport Lake (7th - B.St.).

The Lesser Yellowlegs remained in the Cydweli Marsh - Quay area to at least 11th. The Golden Plover flock at Ginst had built up to 450 birds (4th - R.O.H.,F.B.J.). Two juvenile Little Stints were seen at Coedbach Marsh (3rd P.B.,P.G.L. et al) and a winter plumaged bird was at Cydweli Quay (11th - B.St,J.K.). Other records from the site were: 3 Green Sandpipers (5th) and 25 Bar-tailed Godwits (11th - B.St.). A Jack Snipe (3rd) and 5 Black-tailed Godwits (10th - T.R.,B.St) were seen at Penclacwydd. At Cefn Sidan records were 250 Knot, 1,000 Dunlin and 300 Sanderling (5th - B.St.). Other wader records were a Jack Snipe at Ffairfach (3rd - N.M.), 35 Ringed Plover and 300 Dunlin at Bynea (10th -- B.St.) and 6 Greenshanks and a Spotted Redshank at Salmon Scar (4th - F.B.J. et al).

A water Pipit was at Banc y Lord (3rd - P.B.,P.G.L.; 7th - F.B.J.).

A Cetti's Warbler was heard at the Ffrwd Fen (6th - F.B.J.) and a male Blackcap seen at Cefn Sidan (3rd - R.O.H.,F.B.J.). About 1,000 Fieldfares roosted at the Garreg-Iwyd Forestry Plantation near Bethlehem (7th and 8th). Twelve Crossbills and 6 Redpolls were also seen there (7th - J.F.).

List of Observers

P.Bristow, J.R.Ellis; J.Friese; R.O.Hunt; F.B.Jenkins; C.Jones; G.Jones; J.Kelsall; P.G.Lansdown; R.Lewis; N.Matthew, I.K.Morgan; K.Nicholas; T.Richardson; D.H.V.Roberts; E.J. Smith; B.Stewart; M. H. Williams.

Thanks to all observers for submitting records.